Protecting Your Digital Life 

📰 The Consumer Cyber Sentinel: Your Digital Defense Report 🛡️

Date: Thursday, February 5, 2026 Smart security for your digital life

🚨Top Cybersecurity News (For Everyone)

AT&T Data Resurfaces with New Risks

A massive collection of data tied to AT&T customers has resurfaced on underground forums this week. It reportedly contains over 170 million records, including **Social Security numbers**, names, and email addresses. If you have ever been an AT&T customer, be extra vigilant; hackers are now using this "refurbished" data to make their phishing attacks look more convincing. Malwarebytes

Betterment Confirms Data Exposure

 The investment platform Betterment has acknowledged a security incident affecting roughly 1.4 million users. While the company states that account passwords and funds are safe, hackers did walk away with names and email addresses. Users are already reporting receiving fake "special cryptocurrency offers" that look like they came from the company—delete these on sight.  Bleeping Computer

College Data Breach Leaks

Personal information stolen from Harvard and UPenn last year was published online this morning. Students and alumni from these institutions should immediately monitor their credit reports for any unauthorized activity. Databreaches.net

Hackers Leak 5.1 Million Panera Bread Records

According to the data breach notification site Have I Been Pwned, the data was leaked after the hackers failed to extort the food chain.  The archive includes 5.1 million unique email addresses and likely impacts as many Panera customers. Associated information such as names, addresses and phone numbers was also present in the leak.  Security Week

🎌 Scams & Threats Now Circulating

Here are scams currently circulating that everyday readers should watch for:

• The "Missed Delivery" Text: Scammers are sending texts pretending to be from USPS, FedEx, or UPS. They claim there is a "typo in your address" and ask you to click a link to fix it. How it works: The link takes you to a fake site that asks for a "redelivery fee," stealing your credit card information in the process.

• AI Voice "Urgent Request": Using AI, scammers can now clone the voice of a friend or family member. You may get a call from a familiar voice claiming they are in a minor accident or lost their wallet and need a quick transfer via Venmo or Zelle.

• The Social Media "Is This You?" Message: A message from a "friend" on Facebook or Instagram might ask, "Is this you in this video?" with a link. How it works: Clicking the link leads to a fake login page that steals your social media credentials.

• The "rnicrosoft" Visual Trick: A simple but effective scam is trending where hackers register websites that look identical to famous brands. By using the letters "r" and "n" together (rn), they create a domain that looks like "microsoft" at a quick glance (rnicrosoft). This trick is being used to send fake "security alert" emails that lead to stolen passwords.

😀 What You Should Do Today

Here are simple steps you can take right now to protect yourself:

1. Freeze Your Credit: Given the resurfacing of Social Security numbers in the AT&T data, the best defense is to freeze your credit with the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). It’s free and stops identity thieves from opening new loans in your name.

2. Slow Down and Inspect: Before clicking any link in an email or text, look closely at the sender's address. Check for those tricky letter swaps like "rn" instead of "m" or a "0" instead of an "o."

3. Enable Passkeys: If your favorite apps (like Google, Amazon, or Apple) offer "Passkeys," turn them on. They are much more secure than traditional passwords and are nearly impossible for a scammer to steal through a fake website.

4. Use the "Call Back" Rule: If a loved one calls asking for money in an emergency, hang up and call them back on their known, saved phone number to verify it’s actually them.

⚓Quick Tip

If you receive a text about a package you didn't expect, ignore the link and track it directly through the official carrier's website or app instead.

🧑‍🏫Did You Know

Passkeys are digital credentials that let you sign into apps and websites using your device’s fingerprint, face scan, or screen lock instead of a typed password. They are significantly more secure because they are unique to every site and impossible to guess, which effectively blocks common hacking methods like phishing. Most importantly, since the private part of the "key" never leaves your device, your accounts remain safe even if the company you're logging into suffers a major data breach.

Check for Data Breaches: HaveIBeenPwned.com

Report Scams: ReportFraud.ftc.gov or IC3.gov

Free Credit Reports: AnnualCreditReport.com

California Data Deletion: privacy.ca.gov

Our mission is to help you stay one step ahead of internet scammers and protect your digital life. We provide real-world examples of scam emails, text messages, social media posts, and phone calls, showing you how to spot the red flags and identify the telltale signs of a threat. By educating you on these common tactics and explaining how legitimate government agencies and organizations communicate, we empower you to confidently recognize and avoid scams.